AMHERST, Mass. - Brian Keane's goal 11 seconds into overtime propelled the UMass Hockey team past Maine 4-3 Friday night at the Mullins Center. The Minutemen scored three power play goals, including Chase Langeraap's game-tying goal with 3:26 remaining in the third period. UMass had four different goal scorers during the contest, while Paul Dainton made 21 saves in goal for the Minutemen (13-15-3, 8-11-3 HEA). Dave Wilson made 38 saves for the Black Bears (12-15-4, 7-12-3 HEA). The two teams will square off again tomorrow in the season finale at the Mullins Center. Gametime is scheduled for 7 PM.
The Minutemen dominated statistically throughout the game, outshooting Maine 42-24 and going 3-for-6 on the power play. Maine was 1-for-2 on the man-advantage while the Minutemen won 45 of 57 faceoffs.
Although the Minutemen outshot Maine 12-6 throughout the first period, it was the Black Bears who scored the lone goal of the period to take a 1-0 heading into the first intermission. Just 1:17 into the frame, Brian Flynn netted his ninth goal of the season off a rebound. Gustav Nyquist controlled the puck behind the net, and fed Tanner House with a pass in the slot. House's shot was saved by Dainton, but Flynn gathered the rebound and tucked it past the UMass goaltender for the early lead.
Massachusetts had some chances of its own during the period, including two power play opportunities. UMass' best chance of the period came when Alex Berry fired a shot at on goal. Wilson saved the initial shot, and Michael Lecomte was there at the doorstep with the loose rebound. Lecomte put the puck on goal, but Wilson recovered to rob the shot.
The Minutemen got back on track during the second period, scoring two power play goals including Casey Wellman's tenth goal of the season. Maine also added a goal of its own at the midway mark of the frame. Ten minutes into the period, UMass tied the score at one when Wellman picked up a loose rebound in front of the net and lifted it past Wilson for the score. The Black Bears took the lead right back just 53 seconds after Wellman's goal on Robby Dee's fourth goal of the year. Jeff Dimmen took a shot from the point that was saved by Dainton, but Dee gathered the rebound and buried it to give Maine a 2-1 lead.
The Minutemen went back on the power play with 4:29 to play in the period, and UMass wasted no time in tying the score at two. On the ensuing faceoff, James Marcou controlled the puck in the corner. Marcou skated up to the hashmarks and sent a pass cross-ice to Matt Irwin at the point. Irwin let a wrist shot go that found its way through traffic and past Wilson for his fourth goal of the season.
Will O'Neill gave the Black Bears a 3-2 lead just 43 seconds into the third period on his fourth goal of the season. O'Neill took a pass from Nyquist a let a shot go from the point that beat Dainton for the score. The Minutemen nearly tied the score with 14 minutes remaining in the third period when Topher Bevis took a wrist shot from the point that hit the post.
UMass went on the power play once again with 3:48 left in the period, and once again the Minutemen capitalized on the man-advantage. Wellman controlled the puck down low in the corner, and fired a pass to Langeraap in the slot. Langeraap one-timed the puck past Wilson for his fifth goal of the season, sending the game into overtime.
The Minutemen only attempted one shot in overtime, Keane's game-winner just 11 seconds into the extra session. Jordan Virtue threw the puck on goal low, and Keane redirected the puck past Wilson as he was skating to the net.